King Darius | Jude Bautista Gallery

300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE’s Massive Invasion

Stylized hand-to-hand combat is fought on land and sea. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Written by

Jude Bautista

Fear grips the outnumbered men defending Greece. Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) pleads with them, “We are down to a handful of boats. And yes, we are just farmhands. We are tradesmen. We are boys turned to men through the sacrifice forged with combat. I played a dangerous game and I lost! If you choose to turn your back on me, on your country, I will not judge you. You are free to leave. You are still free men.”

Sullivan Stapleton plays Themistokles who ignites the hearts of his men. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

He waits but not one of them leaves. Themistokles goes on, “Very Well, let us put our shoulders to work and free those ships from the bosom of Greece. Today is a privilege to call our own the story that will be told for a thousand years. Let our final stand be recorded for the histories. And let it be shown that we chose to die on our feet rather than live on our knees!”

Eva Green is femme fatale Artemisia. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

300 the original film in 2006, elevated the presentation of hand-to-hand combat using ultra slow motion, leaping acrobatic moves. Zack Snyder as director and screenwriter was able to make a landmark film in terms of recreating the graphic novel of Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. Although enormously successful, the sequel was not immediately produced unlike most successful film franchises today.

Queen Gorgo (Lena Hedaley): Shall I put swords in the hands of my sons and children will that please you? Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro): I am the god king. I am the one who triumphed over Leonidas! Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE (showing March 7) directed by Noam Murro takes the story on a much grander scale. It takes off from where the brave 300 warriors of King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) dies a glorious death facing the 100,000 troops of the Persian Empire led by the god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). This is much more than just Xerxes marching to Athens in an effort to subjugate them. What makes this follow up unique is that it actually is both a prequel and a sequel.

Persians outnumber Greeks soldiers and boats 10 to 1. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Xerxes before he transformed into a god king. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

The creators delve deeper into the history between Persian and Greek conflict, which did not begin with King Leonidas’ encounter. An earlier battle by King Darius (Igal Naor) 10 years before with Athenian Themistokles provides proper context for the more massive invasion. Which involves thousands more troops on both sides having bloody action packed battles on land and sea.

Greek warriors prepare to board Persian ship. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro): For glory’s sake for vengeance’s sake…WAR! Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

FILM made for the Cinema

Since this film is greater in scale to the original, it involves superior numbers of armies. The massive invasion involves naval battles though unlike any we are used to in modern or any other era. This is where huge wooden ships ram into each other and attackers pour into the deck by the dozens. Everything changes when you’re at sea, there can be huge waves underneath stormy skies while having to think of the human enemy.

A smaller Greek boat rams into a bigger Persian ship. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Sullivan Stapleton plays Themistokles. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

The sweeping landscapes and seascapes should be seen in the cinema, where the image envelops the viewer. Drums beating sounding the impending attack of swords and shields clashing is best heard with large speakers booming inside a theater. The sounds make your heart beat faster as you witness men leaping into decks plunging their swords into the enemy. IF there’s one movie you can’t miss seeing in the theater this would be it.

Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton): Let it be shown that we chose to die on our feet rather than live on our knees!” Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Deeper STORY / Character development

For 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE, we find out how Xerxes becomes god-king. This also introduces us to the most ravishing character yet, Artemisia played by Eva Green. Her role is vital to the legend of the god-king. Her cold blue eyes with jet-black hair have come to define the femme fatale: A woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations.

Artemisia (Eva Green) with –left General Artaphernes (Ben Turner). Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Artemisia (Eva Green) terrifies General Kashani (Christopher Sciueref). Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Green has tried to avoid being typecast into the role but is not necessarily a disadvantage. She could be the Johnny Depp of her generation playing unique characters with far more depth, which she is capable of. She played opposite Depp in Dark Shadows as the witch who turned her lover into a vampire and Morgan in Camelot.

Eva Green is femme fatale Artemisia. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.The treatment of Miller and Snyder in terms of character is to not paint either side as black and white. There are unsavory characters on both Persian and Greek sides. Artemisia is a victim of Greek abuse. Spartans are not all noble heroes but can also be a selfish city state thinking only of their welfare.

Andrew Tiernan plays Ephialtes the hunchback Spartan traitor. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

The treatment of Miller and Snyder in terms of character is to not paint either side as black and white. There are unsavory characters on both Persian and Greek sides. Artemisia is a victim of Greek abuse. Spartans are not all noble heroes but can also be a selfish city state thinking only of their welfare.

David Wenham is Dilios, Spartan commander. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

The moody graphic images the original 300 film, taken from comics or graphic novels had influenced countless other films and TV shows. One of them is SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA (TV series), which had enormous success. One of the most imposing and unforgettable characters Oenomaus, a former gladiator who is the best trainer in the blood sport. Played by Peter Mensa, he has a similar role in 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE. Mensa has been into martial arts in real life starting at the age of 6.

Peter Mensa is the Persian who molds Artemisia into the most lethal assassin, just like his role as Oenomaus who trained gladiators in SPARTACUS. 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Here he is the unnamed Persian who molds Artemisia into the deadliest assassin the empire has ever known. Remarkably Mensa is not credited in the imdb page for the film nor does he have a photo in the official website. For such a distinguished actor who also played the ‘messenger’ in the original 300 film, he should be given better billing.

Artemisia (Eva Green): Today we will dance across the backs of dead Greeks! Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Rodrigo Santoro is god king Xerxes. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now

For Athens is a pile of stone and wood and cloth and dust… as dust will vanish into the wind. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Historical vs Dramatic License

When watching a movie based on real life historical figures and events, its best to take them more as entertainment than an accurate portrayal. Producers never intended to make this into a documentary or factual historical statement, although it does have a strong influential effect on the minds of audiences.

300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

Sometimes Hollywood can skew the perception of history, intentionally or unintentionally. People like Richard Machowiz can oversimplify historical events such as the battle of Thermopylae as a battle between tyranny and democracy. Relating that to the current war of democracy identified with U.S. and dictators today or against terrorism. This is from statements he made in MANKIND THE STORY OF ALL OF US, which is produced and aired in the HISTORY channel.

The truth of it, which is also shown in 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE is that the notion of Greece as a nation or as one country was still not accepted by leaders or people themselves. They were composed of separate Greek city-states, which were independent politically. The concept of self-government and democracy was not used by all of them. The Spartans were very much against it and insists on monarchic rule.

Queen Gorgo (Lena Hedaley): Have I not given enough for your ambitions Themistokles? Our King, husbands, brothers, Sparta will give no more. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

The best thing to do is to ask questions, think critically of the history and facts presented from the movie, use it as a jump off point. I don’t think an ancient Persian oil tanker that turns the Aegean into a sea of fire really exists. But it makes for an exciting movie and if it inspires you to research on the origins of democracy, then 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE has done its job.

Jack O’Connell plays Calisto the Athenian youth eager to show his mettle in the battlefield. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

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300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

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Foreground left: Scyllias (Callan Mulvey) father to Calisto (Jack O’Connell) lead the Greeks to battle. 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

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Greek ships go to war against Persians. Photo from official website: http://www.300themovie.com/ 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

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http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE opens on March 7, 2014 at Resort’s World Manila, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Shang Rila Cineplex /East Wing and Eastwood Mall running now.

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http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ , http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

March 7, 2014 | Categories: Art, Film, People, TV | Tags: 100000, 2006, 300, 300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE wall paper, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, accurate portrayal, Aegean, Artemisia, assassin, Athenian, Athens, battle of Thermopylae, blood sport, Camelot, cold blue eyes, conflict, current war, Dark Shadows, democracy, director, documentary, Dramatic License, enormously successful, entertainment, Eva Green, factual, femme fatale, Frank Miller, free men, Gerard Butler, Gladiator, god-king, graphic novel, Greece, Greek, Greek city-states, hand-to-hand combat, Historical, historical events, historical statement, history, History channel, Hollywood, Igal Naor, imdb page, independent, jet-black hair, Johnny Depp, jump off point, King Darius, King Leonidas, landmark film, Lynn Varley, MANKIND THE STORY OF ALL OF US, massive invasion, monarchic rule, Morgan, nation, Noam Murro, Oenomaus, official website, oil tanker, oversimplify, perception, Persian, Persian Empire, Peter Mensa, politically, prequel, quotes, Richard Machowiz, Rodrigo Santoro, screenwriter, sea of fire, self-government, separate, sequel, SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA, Spartans, subjugate them, Sullivan Stapleton, Themistokles, think critically, TV series, typecast, tyranny, U.S., ultra slow motion, wall paper, Xerxes, Zack Snyder | Leave a comment

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300 RISE OF AN EMPIRE’s Massive Invasion